Is Chicago or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 8/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 25% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Springfield has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 15.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 5,364.0 | -1,351.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 1,179.3 | -639.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 5.9 | +11.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 104.4 | -45.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 123.7 | +211.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 944.1 | -815.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 4,184.7 | -712.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 726.6 | -431.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 3,001.3 | -682.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 456.8 | +402.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Springfield safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Springfield, MO
Springfield, MO, "Queen City of the Ozarks," is a regional hub in southwest Missouri. Home to Bass Pro Shops' first store, it's a growing metropolitan area with a population of over 169,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 170,527, Springfield has a total crime rate of 5,364.0 per 100,000 residents.